Announcements for Sunday Apr. 24, 2022
INSIDE: Graduation Recognition this Sunday; Chicken Dinner Thursday, Apr. 28; Opening: Lead Custodian
Tickets are still on sale in the office, M–F, 8am–4pm, through Apr. 27, for only $10. Tickets will be $12 at the door while they last. And most importantly, funds raised support youth going on the mission trip and to Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Meals are provided by Premier Catering, and will be available for pick-up at First Lutheran on Thursday, Apr. 28, 11am–7pm. Youth and families can sign up for a shift to help with takeouts at 1stlu.org/chixdin.
Worship
Join us for worship!
Sunday, Apr. 24:
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
10:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Wednesday, Apr. 27:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Nursery available.
COVID-19 Update
Pastors and our COVID Advisory Panel gather to evaluate when and how the church can be open. These are our current recommendations:
Worship: online & in-person
Small groups: online & in-person; precautions determined by entire group
Precautions for In-Person Worship
Worship services are offered in-person, indoors at all services. As of Feb. 16, 2022, masks are welcome, optional, and encouraged for those not vaccinated. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.
Graduation Recognition
First Lutheran will bless graduates in worship on Sunday, Apr. 24. Join us for a special blessing to uplift this milestone. Graduates will receive more details about this service in the coming days.
4K Faith Building Block: The Keys
Sunday, Apr. 24: parents/guardians only
Sundays, May 1 & 8: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, May 15: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Throughout the year each age group will have a special “Faith Building Block” session in which parents or special adults are asked to attend class with their child on Sundays at 9:15am, sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. The session lasts for three weeks, and afterwards, the Faith Building Block will be lifted up in worship.
Opening: Lead Custodian
First Lutheran is looking for a lead custodian to manage the maintenance of the church buildings and grounds. Flexible hours are available. Pay is $20/hr, 15-25 hours/week with limited benefits. Call 608.783.2236 or e-mail the church office at office@firstlu.org.
Donations For Ukraine
From Lutheran World Relief: Nelsonville Lutheran Church in Wisconsin will double all gifts from congregations – up to $100,000 – for our neighbors suffering in the Ukraine crisis. Our teams are working with partners in and around Ukraine so your gifts will deliver urgent support and care, like: food, shelter and other critically needed items; Mission Quilts and Kits for families who fled their homes; and medicine and supplies for clinics. Gifts will be matched through Apr. 25. You can give at 1stlu.org/LWR or by mail to LWR, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061. Please write “Ukraine Match” in the memo line.
Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying companion churches and ecumenical partners in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Gifts to “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Donate at 1stlu.org/LDR. And thanks to a generous donor, every gift to LDR’s Eastern Europe Crisis Response will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000, to support people impacted by the war in Ukraine.
From Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: The U.S. will now welcome up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. We need to act fast to prepare for these refugees, currently 90% of whom are women and children. There is an urgent need for resources, including emergency medical care, temporary housing, financial support for basic necessities, and much more. Donate at 1stlu.org/LIRS.
You can also designate gifts to Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service at 1stlu.org/give.
Courageous Men’s Group
The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am in the Fireside Room for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Jim Knutson or the church office for more info: jim@firstlu.org.
Newsletter Assembly
It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Thursday, Apr. 28, at 10am, to assemble the May newsletter. See you there!
Sugar Creek Elementary Youth Retreat
Join us for this 1-night retreat of crazy fun and games! Make new friends and hang out with cool counselors who will help you explore faith through Bible story time, memorable songs, and awesome worships! For youth in 2nd-5th grade. Check-in at 1pm, Apr. 30, and pickup at 1pm, May 1. COST: $59 (includes housing, meals, program, etc.). Register with Sugar Creek at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.
Abide Young Adult Small Groups
Young Adult (age 18-35) virtual small groups are forming for the spring. This ministry is called “abide.” Click the Young Adults LinkTree button for a listing of all the “justice-centered spiritual community led by and for folks 18-35” that you can join. Abide serves as a ministry of ELCA Young Adult Ministries and cooperates with several ministries such as YAGM (Young Adults in Global Mission), LVC (Lutheran Volunteer Corp), Dream Chasers United, Campus Ministry and more. Please visit the ELCA website for Young Adult Ministries for more info and opportunities for involvement.
Preschool Springfest
Springfest, on Sun, May 1, at 3pm, is our preschool’s major fundraiser, and provides an opportunity for preschoolers to showcase their singing talents. After the concert, there is an ice cream social and silent auction. For all family members, grandparents, friends and neighbors! All bids will support the ministry of First Lutheran Preschool… so consider any bid over face value as a donation to the preschool’s ministry (and a good way to lock in that bid)!
Sunshine Team
The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. Next meeting: May 5, 9:30am. Various jobs: cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, washing windows and cleaning carpets. Help make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free!
Sugar Creek Work Weekend
We have a wide variety of projects for any skill set and level of ability. Come with your family or by yourself and enjoy the blessing of serving others by making Sugar Creek Bible Camp ready for summer camp season! Help play a part in building, cleaning, arranging and preparing the camp's buildings, trails, and equipment for a safe and busy season ahead. Choose from a range of outdoor and indoor projects: Paint, garden, stain, clean cabins, do trail work, wood chip, build fences, split and stack firewood, move sheds, lay shingles, and more. Many hands make light work! Enjoy Sugar Creek hospitality and hearty meals all day Saturday, May 7—or you can stay over Friday night and be ready to go bright and early Saturday morning. Friday night lodging and Saturday meals are FREE for volunteers at this event! RSVP: office@sgrcreek.org or call 608.734.3113. Let us know how many people are coming and whether or not you need housing for Friday night what meals you will attend on Saturday. Lodging reservations are on a first come, first served basis. We are so grateful for the many hands and hearts who volunteer in myriad ways for the ministry and missions of Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Work will start around 9am Saturday morning and go into the evening. You are welcome to come for some or come for all!
Clothes Closet Needs
Greetings from the First Teen Clothes Closet team! Thank you for always helping to fill the clothing needs of teens in the greater La Crosse area. We are currently in need of the following new or gently used, teen-style items:
Skirts
Athletic shorts in all sizes but especially 1X, 2X, 3X,
Regular shorts in XL, 2X , 3X
Sweat pants all sizes
Hoodies in all sizes but especially 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X
Dress belts
Summer shoes: sandals, flip flops
Thank you very much for your generosity!
Upcoming Sugar Creek Bus Trips
May 7-10: Holland Michigan Tulip Festival
Aug 26-Sept 1: Ark Encounter and Nashville
November 16: Fireside Dinner Theater, "White Christmas"
Sign up early! Spots fill quickly. Call for info: 608.734.3113.
Monday Night Community Meals
For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the northside of La Crosse has hosted a meal on Monday nights. First Lutheran has agreed to help with this important community ministry, by preparing a meal, serving the food and cleaning up. We need people to plan and prepare the meal to feed 60-80 people, and folks to serve the meal (5-6pm) and help with cleanup. Meal prep can be done at your convenience. Many times people prepare the main course a week ahead, freeze it and reheat it. Food for the meal can be gotten at no charge from the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse. Our next date is May 9. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.
OWLs Fly to Driftless
The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First Lutheran, for anyone 55+) will start May with their first day time road trip since before COVID. On Friday, May 13, at 9am we will meet at the church and fire up the bus for a scenic trip down the Mississippi to Lansing, Iowa to visit the almost world famous Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center. The center has an elevator for easy access to all 3 levels. Following our visit we will have lunch at a local establishment with great food and lots of character. The visitors center is free and lunch is on you own. If you would like to join this great adventure, please call or email Brian Narveson (630.816.5917 / owls@firstlu.org) by Wednesday, May 12.
Bible Readers Deep Dive into Exodus, through May
Join Pastor Stanton online for 5–8 minutes per weekday through May 20 for "Bible Readers: Pivotal Moments in the Book of Exodus." We'll use Walter Bruggemann's two books, Delivered Out of Empire and Delivered Into Covenant to explore how certain phrases or moments in scripture demand our attention and can change everything. Find the posts each weekday by 5am on First Lutheran's Facebook page or YouTube channel.
Parents’ Night Out
CORRECTION: The next Parents’ Night Out will be Friday, May 27. FOR: Birth–12 are welcome (Birth–3 will be in the nursery, ages 4 and up in Fellowship Hall)
Registration from 4:45pm-5:30pm
Followed by dinner and activities till 8:30pm (parents can pick up early if needed)
COST: Monetary donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2022 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and potential mission trip. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout.
Summer Song Series
Go to 1stlu.org/summersongs to nominate a favorite hymn or song to be highlighted this summer between Pentecost and First Fest! The most popular and powerful songs will be at the heart of our worship all summer long! Don't miss a week!
COVID Vaccination & Booster Shots Available
COVID-19 vaccination shots will be available at Trinity Lutheran (1010 Sill St, La Crosse) on Monday nights from 3–7pm. All shots are available, including the second booster.
Volunteers Wanted for Synod Assembly
The synod is looking for folks to serve as red-vested volunteers at this year's assembly. Volunteers serve very important functions: hospitality in all ways, assisting with the collection of offerings, handing out and retrieving ballots, dispersing handouts, helping at the registration table, guiding attendees to meeting spaces outside of plenary hall, etc. If interested contact the synod office (608.788.5000 / office@lacrosseareasynod.org) and they’ll put you in touch with Betty, their volunteer coordinator. You will attend the assembly at no cost.
Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open!
Summer camp registration at Sugar Creek is open, and campers are signing up! Our new program, Art Camp, promises to help campers grow in their creative gifts and encourage them in sharing the joy of expression through guitar, dance, painting, photography, wood-crafts or writing. We can’t wait to celebrate each of their unique talents with them. We are also pleased to bring back our popular new programs from 2021: Elevated, Night Camp and Rangers. Spots for these programs are filling up quickly, so make sure you don’t miss out. Do you know about our early-registration giveaway! First Lutheran is happy to reimburse the $100 registration fee (contact the office)! Reg and more info online: sugarcreekbiblecamp.org.
Middle and High School Gathering Alternatives
Youthworks mission trip to Bayou Le Batre, Alabama, for youth entering grades 7–12 in fall of 2022. Trip dates: July 23–31. More info: 1stlu.org/mshsmissiontrip.
Boundless WYLDE @ Sugar Creek, for youth entering grades 9–12 in fall of 2022. Dates: July 24-29. More info: 1stlu.org/wylde.
Please register by…
Sending Pastor Stanton an email at jason@firstlu.org to alert him of your interest
Deliver a $150 check made out to First Lutheran. In the memo line add if you're registering for “YOUTHWORKS” or "WYLDE."
Stephen Ministry
If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office: 608.783.2236.
Sunday School
Sunday, Apr. 24
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, May 1
9:15am Sunday School
Questions regarding Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.
Confirmation
Sunday, Apr. 24:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm
Wednesday, Apr. 27:
6:15pm Confirmation Class - Fireside Rm
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Questions regarding confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.
